Tim Fehr, mechanical engineer for Shive Hattery, and Doug Ziegler, project manager for Carl A. Nelson & Co., gave the Mid-Prairie Community School Board a challenging message Monday current construction costs are pushing the estimated price for the Middle School expansion and renovation past the original estimate of $4.4 million. With a 10 percent contingency addition to handle any design changes and a possible costlier bidding environment, the figure increases to between $4.6 and $4.7 million. Board members expressed apprehension that this might be a forewarning that the other building projects included in the $10.6 million bond issue could come in over budget.

The original cost estimates for the Middle School were HVAC (heating, ventilation and air condition) geothermal system and window replacement $2.9 million; new computer/technology room and remodel current room for special education $400,000; and space equal to four classrooms for Home School Assistance Program $1.1 million.

Ziegler said they had been meeting with the school-created teams of local stakeholders in the facilities and had so far found ways to trim costs from $4.29 million to $4.24 million (not including contingency figure) . He noted that cuts were being chosen to not impair the educational utilization of the facility. He said that the major construction in Iowa City estimated at $2 billion is affecting the market.

Construction at the Middle School involves installing a geothermal heating and cooling system and replacing all the windows, constructing classrooms, a Parent Resource Center and offices for the Home School Assistance Program, and constructing a new computer lab and renovating the existing computer lab for a Special Education classroom.

The current drawings for the Middle School addition on the north side included an irregular roofline to match the current building. The board agreed to do away with the stepping, which will save an estimated $20,000.

Board member Jeremy Statler suggested not using brick siding for the new Middle School addition, but a brick wainscot with steel siding as a cost saving measure. Board President Jim Hussey said it might be a hard sale to the community and it was late in the day to make such a major design change. Ziegler added that masonry, with regular maintenance, had an average life of 80 to 90 years, compared with steel that began losing its finish in 20 years and structural integrity in 30 years. The board did not approve the change.

Jeremy Pickard observed that the $140,000 cut they approved still left a $483,000 overrun. Ziegler said that that amount had already been reduced and they would continue to pursue other reductions. By bidding the $10.6 million project in smaller packages, Ziegler said, smaller contractors would be able to bid, which means more competitive bidding. He also noted that when Fairfield rebidded its building project because of too high of bids, they came in $1 million lower the second time.

The other projects and their estimated cost for the bond issue include installing air conditioning for the entire Washington Township Elementary building $200,000; construction an additional preschool classroom and renovating the existing preschool classroom at the Kalona Elementary School $1.1 million; constructing two additional kindergarten classrooms and renovating existing kindergarten classrooms for special education classroom at the Wellman Elementary School $900,000; relocating the main office to existing art classroom, constructing an addition for the new art classroom and Family Consumer Science lab; renovating the existing Family and Consumer Science lab for the special education classroom at the High School $1.7 million; an alternative learning center and central administration offices as new construction $2.1 million; and bonding costs and attorney fees $240,000.

Fehr and Ziegler observed that the overrun at the Middle School was mainly attributed to the major HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), which would not be as major a factor at the other school buildings.

Board Vice President George Schaefer took over the meeting after Hussey had to leave, where he had a mildly contentious discussion with parents of Wellman elementary students. It dealt with bus pickup spots around the town.

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School construction estimates higher

OTTAWA The federal government is tightening safety measures for railways operating in Canada in the aftermath of last years deadly derailment in Lac-Megantic, Que., in which rules simply were not followed.

We will always remember what happened in Lac-Megantic, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said Wednesday.

This past year has been difficult for all those involved with respect to this tragedy, she said. This tragedy is a case where rules simply were not followed.

Ms. Raitt, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, said the new measures will improve railway safety and make the transportation industry more accountable.

The derailment in July 2013 caused an explosion that killed 47 people and destroyed part of the southern Quebec town. The train, which was carrying volatile crude oil, broke loose after stopping for the night and slammed into the community.

It has been described as Canadas worst train disaster. Ottawa has accepted the recommendations by the Transportation Safety Board, issued in July, that will give the federal government greater powers to enforce and respond quickly to safety issues and they will help protect Canadian communities and strengthen our transportation network because that is a vital element of our economy and our country, Ms. Raitt said.

We want to better protect Canadians in their communities. But we have to maintain that transportation network that we actually need in order to move goods around our country and support our economy.

The new measures cover four areas, beginning with ensuring that unattended trains are properly secured.

All rail operators will need to meet minimum requirements for hand-break application and to test hand-break effectiveness. The new measure will require additional defences on all siding and other appropriate locations to physically prevent unattended trains from rolling away.

Transport Canada will fund research and the development of improved braking systems.

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Ottawa tightens railway safety measures in wake of Lac-Megantic train disaster

As you begin going through the process of hiring an effective contractor, you want to get a few things situated with your interior designer first. Yes, you want an interior designer when you are reorganizing your home and getting renovations done. Sure you may have a clear vision of what you want out of your home, but an interior designer can effectively place it all together in a way you may not have thought. After all, two heads are better than one especially when one of those heads is an expert in the field of designing and renovations.

Feed Your Ideas to Your Interior Designer

Whether you have a planned detailed drawing or just a few ideas jotted down, show them to your interior designer and let them know the theme you are going for in your home. Give them the overall view of the type of windows, sidings and interior decorations you were looking to go with so they have a better idea of what you want.

The more ideas you can give your interior designer, the clearer the ideas will be for the interior designer. They want a detailed version of what you want so they can help you place together the entire image. Your interior designer will be able to help you more than you might be thinking.

Give an Estimated Budget to Your Interior Designer

One of the perks of working with an interior designer is their ability to give you a stylish design that meshes with your theme, while delivering it to you within your budget report. Sure, your budget may be expanded a bit in order to pay the interior designer, but they are efficient with cost cutting techniques and places where they can get vintage items cheaply. This will work out to your advantage if you are able to give them a detailed report on how much your budget is as well as an approximation of how much you want to put into each renovation.

For example, you may want 50-percent of your budget into the exterior of your home, with 50-percent going into the interior of your home. You will be able to split that up into 15-percent kitchen, 10-percent living room, 10-percent bathroom and 15-percent bedroom. The decision is yours to make, but giving the interior designer a direction you want to go into will give them perception on how much work you want to put into each room and which parts of the home are more important than others are.

Use Their Expertise across the Board

Even while you are getting your window installation, you can expect the assistance of your interior designer to make the process go more efficiently. They have great perception on what you want and will be able to get it delivered to you promptly. In addition, they can supervise all operations to ensure the transition goes smoothly.

You can have a beautiful home without much work, but the decision is yours alone. You need to pick your interior designer and contractors wisely.

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New siding can give you home's exterior a facelift rather quickly. It also helps to protect your most valueable investment - your home. The right siding for your home will rely on a few variables. First think about the weather in your area. Will your siding need to stand up against hurricane force winds? Freezing blizzards? Or extremely high winds? If so you are going to want to look at materials that can withstand Mother Nature's worst effects.

Most homes will use wood, vinyl or aluminum siding. All of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. You will also want to think about the ease of cleaning. Aluminum siding can be cleaned with pressure washing and the use of mild detergents. Vinyl siding can be power washed or simply wiped down with a wet rag to clean. Wood siding will take more maintenance. The wooden slats will need to be stained or painted to keep their integrity.

When you decide to replace your homes siding it's going to be a fairly big project. With big projects you want to be sure you're working with the right siding installation contractor for the job. With so many siding replacement contractors out there it can be tough to be sure you've chosen the right sidng contractor for your siding installation project. The key is to compare a few quotes from various local companies. Once you have a better feel for each contractor you should be able to make an educated decision on which will suite your project the best. Compare pros, cons and free estimates to find the perfect expert for your next major home improvement project.

Let Fix The Home's easy to use online resource help you learn about all aspects of siding. Browse our detailed information by choosing topics in the menu on your left. Our siding contractor referral service can also match you with local siding repair, replacement and installation contractors. Our highly knowledgeable staff has pre-screened your area's best local siding repair and replacement contractors. We will match you with up to four, for absolutely free estimates on whatever your needs may be. Compare quotes and find the perfect professional for your next home improvement project.

Check out the other siding pages on our site to learn more.

Find local Siding companies and contractors on FixTheHome.com. If you are a home improvement contractor you can join our Siding contractor directory or contact one of our partners to receive Siding leads online. To get started just visit our signup page. > Get Listed on this Website > Signup to Get Siding Leads

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Siding Replacement Wayzata - Storm Group Roofing
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Siding Replacement Wayzata - Storm Group Roofing - Video

Vinyl Siding is very alluring, offering the incentive that you will never need to paint your home again once it is installed. Available in many colors, vinyl has become one of the most popular siding materials in the Unites States due to its low maintenance, durability and the fact it is very economical.

Fiber Cement siding is another maintenance free product which you can buy pre-painted or paint yourself. Durable and long lasting, Fiber Cement siding is also fireproof in addition being rot and pest proof. James Hardie pioneered Fiber Cement technology and is the world leader today. Hardie Siding is engineered to resist termites, rot, fade, warping and cracking. Hardie board is popular and a trend setter in the siding industry. Hardie board siding can mimic almost any other siding material, including cedar shingles, lap boards, and wood siding.

While there are many options that homeowners have when it comes to siding, wood siding has withstood the test of time and is one of the top choices when it comes to choosing a siding material for your home. Real wood siding has a timeless, classic look that all other types try to mimic. It is easy to install and many homeowners can install it themselves, saving both time and money. Wood is also a great environmental choice, is biodegradable, and parts can be easily removed and replaced should that become necessary. Cedar siding is a wood product that is made from cedar trees and has a low environmental impact. Cedar is a hearty wood that stands up to intense weathering.

The Home Depot has a large selection of siding and supplies sure to meet your every need. With professional siding installation services and knowledgeable store associates, the Home Depot is your best resource for do-it-yourselfers and professionals.

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Siding - Vinyl Siding and Fiber Cement Siding at The Home ...

MORROW The Morrow City Council voted nearly unanimously Tuesday to fire City Manager Ron Few amid a brewing battle between the city and its business and tourism group.

Mayor Pro Tem Hang Tran and council members Jeannell Bridges and Larry Ferguson voted to fire Few while Councilman Chris Mills abstained. Tran made the motion and cited the city's recent battles with the Morrow Business and Tourism Association over funding.

As the MBTA issue was cited, association director Mike Twomey gasped in shock from the audience.

Tran also said she felt Few was circumventing the council with regards to the hiring of certain unspecified department heads.

After he was fired, Few grabbed some paperwork and slumped out a side door behind his desk. Mayor J.B. Burke then asked police Capt. James Callaway to escort Few out of the building if needed.

Few was hired by the council in an equally surprising and controversial move that split the council in January. During his brief tenure, he found himself at the center of controversy again during the hiring of new police Chief Melvin Douglas in August.

The council was split on naming a temporary replacement for Few however. Motions by Ferguson to name police Capt. Greg Tatroe and fire Chief Mark Herendeen failed by a 2-3 vote. A motion by Bridges to name Public Works Director Anou Sothsavath also failed by 2-3 vote.

Ferguson and Bridges voted for Herendeen, Tatroe and Sothsavath, while Tran and Mills voted against them. Each time, Burke cast a tie breaking vote by siding with Tran and Mils.

The council then voted to name Economic Development Director Sylvia Redic as acting city manager by a 3-2 vote. Tran and Mills voted for Redic while Bridges and Ferguson voted against her. Burke again cast the tie-breaking vote for Redic.

Stay tuned to http://www.news-daily.com for further details and video of the decision.

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Morrow City Manager Ron Few fired in surprise move

Johnson City |Siding replacement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHtzOO07go4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VxWPM9oe1I Johnson City |Siding replacement Whittington Construction Company specializes ...

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Royal Windows and Siding - Replacement Window - Fall Kick Off Windows - Little Rock
Get rid of those energy wasting windows and get windows from Royal Windows and Siding right now. Our windows are Thermo King windows with a triple coating of...

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Royal Windows and Siding - Replacement Window - Fall Kick Off Windows - Little Rock - Video

Office of Public Affairs Chicago IL For Immediate Release: February 13, 2014 Contact: Scott Allen or Rhonda Burke Phone: (312) 353-6976 or (312) 353-4807 Email: allen.scott@dol.gov or burke.rhonda@dol.gov Release Number: EBSA-CHI-14-7

Date of Action:Jan. 30, 2014

Type of Action:Complaint

Names of Defendant:Timothy J. Clifford, Jr., Patrick D. Clifford, Clifford Replacement Windows & Siding, Inc., CRW Inc. 401(k) Plan in Mount Prospect, Ill.

Allegations:Clifford Replacement Windows & Siding Inc. was the Plan Sponsor and Plan Administrator of CRW Inc. 401(k) Plan. Since at least March 31, 2004, through Sept.1, 2006, Timothy J. Clifford was the president and owner of CRW. Since at least March 31, 2004, T. Clifford and Patrick D. Clifford were both named trustees and fiduciaries to the plan. Furthermore, according to the plans governing documents, T. Clifford, P. Clifford, and CRW are the only legal persons authorized to direct the disbursement of the plans assets.

The department alleges that during sometime in 2006, CRW ceased operations, and was involuntarily dissolved by the Illinois Secretary of State on Sept. 1, 2006. Under the terms of the plan, terminated participants with vested account balances are entitled to receive their benefits upon termination. However, as of July 29, 2013, there were a total of seven participants, one forfeiture account, and a total of $33,033.90 in plan assets. The department alleges that T. Clifford, P. Clifford, and CRW failed to discharge their duties with respect to the plan solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Resolution:The complaint seeks an order permanently enjoining defendants from serving as fiduciaries or service providers to any ERISA-covered plan; appointment of an independent fiduciary to distribute the plans assets and terminate the plan; and requiring defendants T. Clifford and P. Clifford to pay all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the independent fiduciary.

Court:U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Chicago

Docket Number:1:14-cv-00666

Employers and workers can reach EBSAs Chicago office at 312-353-0900 or toll-free at 866-444-3272 for help with problems relating to private-sector retirement and health plans. Additional information can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa.

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US Department of Labor files suit to terminate employee benefit plan of Clifford Replacement Windows & Siding and ...